Liberal showcases success in crime reduction

Back in the early 2000s, the city of Liberal had the second highest crime rate per capita, with only Kansas City in front of it. Since the passing of the 1-cent sales tax 23 years ago, however, many positive changes have taken place in the community thanks to work done by law enforcement.
“Crime prevention makes up 5 percent of the sales tax,” City Manager Mark Hall began. “In 1994, there really wasn’t an idea of what crime prevention should do. What was presented in 1994, like housing, we knew there was a need, but we weren’t sure how to go about it and we needed to come up with a strategic plan.”